How can you evaluate the impact of physician feedback on your own growth?

1 Why feedback matters

Feedback is essential for learning and improvement, especially in a complex and dynamic field like healthcare. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, correct your mistakes, enhance your confidence, and align your goals with the expectations and standards of your profession. Feedback can also foster a positive and collaborative relationship with physicians, who can offer you insights, advice, and support based on their expertise and experience.

2 How to solicit feedback

One of the challenges of getting feedback is that it is not always given spontaneously or consistently. You may have to ask for it, and you should do so proactively and regularly. You can solicit feedback from physicians by expressing your interest in learning from them, setting specific and achievable objectives, asking open-ended and focused questions, and requesting examples and suggestions. You can also create opportunities for feedback by inviting physicians to observe your work, share your reflections, and participate in peer review or mentoring programs.

3 How to receive feedback

Receiving feedback can be difficult, especially if it is negative or unexpected. You may feel defensive, frustrated, or discouraged. However, you should try to receive feedback with an open mind, a positive attitude, and a growth mindset. You can receive feedback from physicians by listening actively and attentively, acknowledging and appreciating their input, clarifying and summarizing the main points, asking for clarification and elaboration, and expressing your willingness to act on the feedback.

4 How to evaluate feedback

Evaluating feedback is a crucial step to determine its validity, usefulness, and applicability. You should not accept or reject feedback without careful consideration and reflection. You can evaluate feedback from physicians by comparing it with other sources of information, such as your own observations, assessments, or feedback from other colleagues or patients. You can also assess the feedback based on its specificity, consistency, timeliness, and constructiveness. You should look for feedback that is clear, relevant, accurate, timely, and supportive.

5 How to act on feedback

Acting on feedback is the ultimate goal of the feedback process, as it allows you to translate the feedback into action and improvement. You should not ignore or dismiss feedback that you have received and evaluated. You can act on feedback from physicians by setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals, developing and implementing a plan of action, monitoring and measuring your progress, seeking additional feedback and support, and celebrating your achievements.

6 How to follow up on feedback

Following up on feedback is a way to demonstrate your commitment, accountability, and appreciation for the feedback. It also helps you to sustain and enhance the feedback cycle and the relationship with the physicians. You can follow up on feedback from physicians by communicating your goals and actions, updating them on your results and challenges, asking for further feedback and guidance, and thanking them for their contribution and collaboration.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?